DES Child Care Eligibility and Financial Assistance
Financial assistance may be available to families that might not otherwise be able to afford the costs of child care. The Arizona Department of Economic Security, Child Care Administration offers financial assistance to those who qualify and are a:
- low-income families that are working
- teen parents enrolled in high school or GED classes
- homeless or domestic violence shelter residents
- individuals who are unable to work due to physical or emotional conditions
Eligibility Requirements and How to Apply
You may be eligible to receive Child Care assistance if you need child care for one of the following reasons:
• Employment
• Participation in the JOBS (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills) Program
• Allowable education and training activities related to employment when you work at least an average of 20 hours
per week
• High school, GED or remedial education classes for teen parents.
• Inability or unavailability to care for your children due to:
• a physical, mental or emotional condition
• participation in a drug treatment or rehabilitation program
• a court-ordered community service program
• Residency in a homeless or domestic violence shelter
• As determined by The Department of Child Safety (DCS).
DES Child Care Assistance is available to eligible families with children 12 years of age or younger. You may be eligible if your family income is at or below 165% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Your gross monthly income, before any deductions are subtracted, is used to calculate your eligibility. Both earned income (e.g. wages) and unearned income (e.g. child support) are counted. DES child care eligibility requirements vary with each program. Some programs have income eligibility requirements based on family size and gross income and may require the family to pay a portion of the child care costs. To determine eligibility based on your income, please view the charts below.
CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE GROSS MONTHLY INCOME ELIGIBILITY CHART AND FEE SCHEDULE
CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PRIORITY WAITING LIST INCOME TABLE
• Employment
• Participation in the JOBS (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills) Program
• Allowable education and training activities related to employment when you work at least an average of 20 hours
per week
• High school, GED or remedial education classes for teen parents.
• Inability or unavailability to care for your children due to:
• a physical, mental or emotional condition
• participation in a drug treatment or rehabilitation program
• a court-ordered community service program
• Residency in a homeless or domestic violence shelter
• As determined by The Department of Child Safety (DCS).
DES Child Care Assistance is available to eligible families with children 12 years of age or younger. You may be eligible if your family income is at or below 165% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Your gross monthly income, before any deductions are subtracted, is used to calculate your eligibility. Both earned income (e.g. wages) and unearned income (e.g. child support) are counted. DES child care eligibility requirements vary with each program. Some programs have income eligibility requirements based on family size and gross income and may require the family to pay a portion of the child care costs. To determine eligibility based on your income, please view the charts below.
CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE GROSS MONTHLY INCOME ELIGIBILITY CHART AND FEE SCHEDULE
CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PRIORITY WAITING LIST INCOME TABLE
To apply for Child Care Assistance you must complete an application for assistance AND:
- Meet the eligibility requirements (see above)
- Provide verification as requested by the Child Care Specialist upon request
- Provide information to Child Care Specialist to arrange and maintain Child Care Assistance
- Research, visit and select a licensed or certified child care program that is contracted with DES
- Inform your Child Care Specialist of your DES contracted provider choice
To apply for DES child care assistance, click below or you may also contact your local DES child care office to schedule an appointment and fill out an application. If you have questions about assistance or need help, please call 1.602.542.4248.
APPLY FOR DES CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE
APPLY FOR DES CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE
First Things First Scholarships
Quality First Child Care Scholarship Program
The Quality First Child Care Scholarship Program is a signature program of First Things First which supports high quality early learning experiences for children birth to five to ensure they are healthy and ready to succeed in school. Scholarships support families who are working, attending school or choosing to place their child in a quality early childhood education setting. Scholarships are offered to children birth through five years of age. To find a participating child care facility in your area or for more information, please click here.
